Demian by Hermann Hesse

1.Title: Demian

2.Author:Hermann Hesse

3.First Published:1919

4.Harper Perrenial Classics Edition , Published :1999.

5.Translated from German by:Michael Rollof and Michael  Lebeck

6.Pages:158

7.Price;Rs 386.90

     Demian , a short novel , was first published   under the pseudonym of Emil Sinclair , its protagonist and narrator.The tenth edition was published under the name of Hermann Hesse. Hesse  applied in this book  the depth psychology of Carl Jung .Sinclair finds the meaning of his life  through his dreams and the symbols of his paintings.

             Hesse  emphasised  the uniqueness of every human being  who “represents  the unique , the very special  and always  significant and remarkable  point at which  the world’s phenomena intersect  only once  this way and never again.”

                The relationship between  Hesse and Romain Rolland  (the French Author and a Nobel Laureate) got reflected in the novel  as a relationship  between  Emil Sinclair and Max Demian.(Max Demian is the character , after whom the novel is based.)Both Romain Rolland and Max Demian believed  that  the ravages of world war  will give way to a healed future.(The novel was published  in 1919 , the third year of world war one.)

     This book exerted a great influence on the youth of Germany and other countries , and it became an instant best-seller.It gives the message that  each one of us  has to struggle to  become self –aware, to be true to our self and finally to  actualize our self , and to remain hopeful while doing so..This is our destiny and our purpose .

                I recommend you to read this novel.

Communicating Interpersonally-A Social Construction Approach

1.Title:                                 Communicating    Interpersonally                                                                                                                                                                                               

2.Authors                          John Stewart , Karen E. Zedikar,Saskia                                                                     Witteborn                                                                                

3.ISBN                               81-7992-533-1

4.Publisher                        Jaico Publishing House ,  Mumbai                                                                    

5.Pages                               414.

6.Price                               Rs.995.

7.Genre:                         Management ,Psychology,Sociology      

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Communication  plays a very important part in all relationships .Yet , we hardly try to learn communication .This book on communication  is  written by  John Stewart  ,  Karen Zedikar  and Saskia Witteborn  , all from  University of Washington--- basically teachers and researchers.

                       I have tried to  distil ten most important points about communication  from this book of 414 pages , as below.These     statements  apply in important relationships including  friendships.

1.Understand  the other person’s  culture , value systems , beliefs and attitudes.

2.Be honest and trustworthy in communication and interaction.

3.Never use  hurtful, aggressive and violent statements.

4.Have respect for the dignity of the other person .

5.Be trusting .

6.Have transparency (open sensitivity).

7.Listen

a)Face the other person  when talking.

b)Maintain eye contact.

c)Make responsive sounds.

d)Select open sensitivity responses.

8.In cyberspace  including social media ,  be careful to present yourself and  relate to others.

9.Follow Universal Rules of Relationships/friendships:

a)Respect the other person’s privacy.

b)Do not discuss that which is said in confidence with the other person .

c)Do not indulge in sexual activity with the other person.

d)Do not criticize the other person publicly.

Communication is a very vast  and complex subject .If you want to read it as a  serious subject , you can read this book  like a text book .Otherwise , it can be left to  he  students of communication .

The power of your subconscious mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy

1.Title :                                     The power of your subconscious mind

2.Author:                                   Dr. Joseph Murphy .

3.Pages                                       253.

4.First published :                      1963.

5.Present edition                        Pocket Books.(2006).

6.Genre                                      Self- help

7.Price                                        Rs. 277.

Dr. Joseph Murphy  was born in Ireland in 1898 but  moved to the USA in 1922 where he continued to  preach Divine Science and write till his death in 1981.He did his Ph. D. in Psychology from  the University of South California He The power of subconscious was one of the 30 books he wrote  but it sold over a million copies in a very  short span , and still continues to be read, over 53 years after its publication.

                   Mind has two parts : conscious and subconscious (Some people  call the latter unconscious ). The conscious mind is rational and subconscious mind   is irrational. But , Dr. Murphy says that subconscious mind is extremely powerful as compared to conscious mind , though it takes commands from conscious mind . The famous Psychologist William James said: ”The greatest discovery of the  nineteenth century was the power of the subconscious mind  touched by faith”.The book is based on  religion as well as  psychology. Dr. Murphy wants us to read it several times. Only then it will  help you to remove the mental blocks  that stand between you and your goals.

                    Among several techniques to use the subconscious   is autosuggestion .Give yourself positive suggestion before going to sleep, and counter act any negative suggestions. Your subconscious will work for you through the night.

                        Another technique is to believe that (what you desire) you have received and you shall receive. Prayer therapy is another , which combines  the function of conscious mind and subconscious mind, scientifically directed. Pray together and stay together.

                        Visualization is another technique to use the power of the subconscious mind .Use imagination and not will power. Power of sustained imagination can bring success .

             Affirmation is another technique. Affirmation succeeds  best when it is specific and when it does not produce a mental conflict or argument .

        Do positive thinking .You cannot attract what you criticise.

              You can use subconscious mind for harmonious human relations, for forgiveness ( “Forgive until seventy times seven”), for removing mental blocks, for helping in breaking or building a habit or to remove fears. r Murphy closes his book by telling how to stay young in spirit for ever.

                   Though all the miracles that  Dr. Murphy attributes to the power of subconscious  mind  may not be correct , the book is interesting  and gives you ideas about the possible uses of subconscious mind.If  you have not decided against reading self-help books ,I recommend you to read this book.

Nuclear Power and its implications for environment and human safety

There are at present over 400 nuclear power plants in the world. These plants provide less than 7% of  world’s total energy supply. India’s share of nuclear power generation  is just 1.2% of world’s nuclear power generation capacity, making it the world’s 15^th largest   nuclear power producer. India has  7 nuclear power plants(21 reactors) having an installed capacity of 5780 MW.(as in 2013).These nuclear power plants are located in six states  of  Maharashtra , Gujrat , Rajasthan , U.P. , Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Out of these , only one nuclear power station is located in UP at Narora. It is operated by NPCIL  and has two units of 220MW each (total 440MW).Four projects(6 units) are under construction in Tamil Nadu , Rajasthan and Gujrat ,with capacity of 4300 MW.

                    India gets under 2% of its electricity   from nuclear power with the rest coming from  coal(60%) , hydroelectricity(16%), other renewable sources (12%)  and natural gas (9%). India plans  to produce 25% of its electricity from   nuclear power in due course(9% by 2032).

                    India has had many advocates for nuclear power , the most notable in the recent past being our former President , Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam who said: ”Energy independence is India’s first and highest  priority. India has to go for nuclear power  generation in a big way using Thorium  based reactors .Thorium , a non-fissile material is available in abundance in  our country.” There is no burning of fossil fuel in nuclear power plants , no green house gases  are produced. Nuclear energy produces more  electricity on less land  than other carbon free technologies. It is under such reasoning  that India is going in a big way for setting up nuclear power plants.

             But let us go  into the safety and environment aspects of nuclear power plants. There have been three major  reactor accidents  in the history of nuclear power generation . They are :

1. Three Mile Island  (USA , 1979)

2. Chernobyl              (Ukraine , 1986)

3. Fukushima              (Japan , 2011).      

 Tem former Nobel Peace Laureates , including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Rigobata Manchu Tum  stated the following in an April  21 , 2011 open letter  to 31 Heads of State  whose countries are currently  heavily invested in nuclear power production  or are considering investing  in nuclear power: ”Choose renewable energy over nuclear power :Nobel Peace Laureates to World Leaders::

On the twenty fifth anniversary  of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine—and more than two months after the massive earthquake  and tsunami that devastated Japan , it is time to recognise that  nuclear power is not a clean , safe or affordable source of energy.

  We are deeply disturbed that   the lives of people in Japan are  being endangered by nuclear radiation in the air , in the water or  in the food  as a result  of the breakdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. We firmly believe that if the world phases out its current use of nuclear power , future generations of people everywhere—and the Japanese people who have already suffered  too much – will live in greater peace and security.

             Radiation is not just  a concern  in a nuclear accident .Each link in the nuclear fuel chain  releases radiation , starting with drilling for uranium ;  it then continues for generations  because nuclear waste includes plutonium  that will remain toxic for thousands of years. Despite years of research  , countries with nuclear energy programme such as the United States  have failed to solve the challenge of  finding safe and secure storage  for spent nuclear fuel.

                There are presently over 400 nuclear power plants  in the world –many in places of high risk  for natural disaster or political upheaval . These plants provide less than 7% of the world’s total energy supply .As world leaders , you can work together  to replace this small amount of energy  to move us towards  a carbon-free and nuclear –free future.”

                    Though there was no death , injury or adverse health effects  due to Three Mile Island accident , it shattered the  public confidence in nuclear energy , especially in the USA. As a result   , there was a major decline in nuclear  construction though the  1980’s and 1990’s .The lessons learnt were applied in a big way in all the nuclear power plants in the USA.

                            In Chernobyl accident , 30 firemen and operators were killed  within 3 months. In addition , 28 persons died as a result of Acute Radiation Syndrome(ARS) within a few weeks of the accident. 19 more died subsequently between 1987 and 2004.The Chernobyl Forum report said that   about seven million people are now receiving  or are eligible for benefits as Chernobyl Victims. In what is referred to as his Testament –which was published soon after his suicide   two years after the accident –Valery Legasov- who led the soviet delegation to  the IAEA post-accident review meeting ,wrote,: After I had visited  Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant,I came to the conclusion that  the accident was the inevitable  apotheosis of the economic system which had been developed in the USSR  over many decades.  Neglect by the scientific management   and the designers was every where with no attention being paid to  the condition of instruments or of equipment.”

                   In Fukushima accident , there were no deaths from the accident but  over one lac people were evacuated from their homes so that there was no radiation exposure. There have been over 1000 deaths from maintaining the evacuation. Evacuation orders were issued to people residing  within 20kms of the site. Fukushima accident destroyed the public confidence  in Japan  in nuclear power, particularly in earthquake-prone regions having reactors. Japan has decided to  meet its energy needs without relying on nuclear power  and  is now going  for alternatives to nuclear power .Japan is building a network of 30  solar power stations , of 2MW each.

      A disaster like Chernobyl or Fukushima , if it happens in a densely populated country like India , could have huge human , economic and environmental  consequences, as had happened in the  industrial disaster  of Union carbide , Bhopal. There have been mass protests in India against the French-backed 9900MW   Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra. Though India has enacted 2010 Nuclear Liability Act   which puts financial responsibility and compensation  in case of a nuclear accident on  nuclear suppliers, contractors and operators. But is it enough to make provision for financial   compensation  ? We just have to look at the  precariously hanging electricity distribution lines in any city like Lucknow and ask whether we have the confidence  in the maintenance of equipments and instruments of nuclear power plants ?Where does  nuclear power  fit in the culture of neglect and indifference among public sector employees in India ?And add to this the rampant corruption  in public sector in supply of plants , materials and accessories. We need to think and re-think   hard about  our  nuclear options  and pay heed to the appeal of ten Nobel Peace Laureates  against  going in for nuclear power. India  , which has lot of land and sunshine , may opt for cost-effective, cleaner  and  safer  solar power , where location is also  not at all critical.(This article was published in Tree Take  magazine , Lucknow in its August 15,2016 issue.)

Youth and Environment

Let us begin by  asking ourselves two questions:

Question no. 1:  How are the global indicators of human well-being  changing?

Question no. 2: How are the global indicators of  the well-being of natural systems  changing?

The answer to first question is encouraging as below:

1.Life expectancy has risen.

2.Infant mortality has fallen.

3.The proportion of the  world’s population  with access to clean drinking water  has increased.

4.Total  global forest cover  rose by 0.85% from 1950 to 1994(FAO).

5.The real price of oil,coal , gas and metals is declining over time.

It is obvious that  human well-being is improving over time.

Now let us look for the answer to the second question:

1.Biodiversity is declining.

2.Levels of Carbon  dioxide in the atmosphere are increasing.

3.Yields from ocean fisheries are declining.

4.Top soil is eroding.

5.Quantities  of proven energy reserves are falling.

6.The Great Pacific Garbage Patch  is a swirling Vortex  of waste and debris  in the Pacific Ocean .This area is  twice the size of the Continental  US and is believed to hold almost 100 million tonnes of garbage.

6.Average temperatures will increase by as much as  12 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of 21^st century if greenhouse gas emission continue to rise at the current pace.

We must accept a few hard facts:

1.Pollutants in environment do kill people.

2.Nuclear wastes are highly dangerous.

3.Climate change , global warming , unexpected droughts and floods are taking place.

4.Ozone depletion has caused damages.

This shows that we need to do  something urgently  to conserve our natural systems so that  we can prevent global warming and climate change , and protect nature and biodiversity.Why do we need the involvement of youth in environment ,ecology and forestry?

It is obvious that youth have energy  and new ideas.So, every  area of life and community needs the involvement of youth.But there is a special logic why youth have to be involved  with environment concerns.It is because politicians in  democratic political systems  have short term perspective.They rarely look much further than  the next elections.Businesses and markets  also focus on short term  profits.Environmental issues require a long-term thinking and action .Youth is a constituency for the  long term .Hence youth have to take up leadership in environmental issues.They have to live longer and face these challenges of pollution and climate change.They have a greater stake in long-term sustainability.

                    In addition , youth of  the present have  stronger awareness of the issues involved that older people , thanks to   the  efforts of environmentalists and conservationists in the last 30 years or so.

                    Thirdly , as activists age , there is always a need for  renewal from the grass-roots.Youth have also to fulfil the role of activists.

                   Fourthly ,  youth are also needed  for the creation of  alternative movement forms and foci .

Youth must realize that  battles may be lost but  the war has to be won .Each generation  has the capacity to invent new political forms.                         

What youth can and must do for environment?

1.Raise the awareness about environmental issues:

IN the USA ,85%  of people under 30  identify themselves as environmentalists.The figure is much lower for India.                   In a study conducted in 2011   by Yale Project called  Climate change in Indian mind , following was the level of awareness;

1.Only 7% of respondents said that they know a lot about global warming while 4% had either never heard of it or said “I don’t know.”

2.56% said it is caused by human activities while 31% said it is caused mostly by natural changes in environment.

This example indicates  how little awareness about Climate change exists in India .The awareness is not  much different in other areas of environment and ecology.This shows the enormity of our challenge.

              What it means to raise  AWARENESS?

It means that Environmental  commitment should not only be widespread but also deep.At present , it is neither broad nor deep .It is important that the awareness should be deep and firm .For example , a well educated person may know about global warming but when it comes to real life :

1.He may have a lifestyle , with high consumption of goods and things.

2.He may use large car instead of small car .

3.He may travel by airplane , though  he may not have lack of time.

4.He may live in spacious house.

5.He may not care to recycle household waste because he can afford to buy new things.

Such a person has very shallow level of awareness.You has to get past this hypocrisy and shallowness.If the entire world lived like  the average American , we’d need 5 planets to provide enough resources.We need to create an awareness about the need to change attitudes , behaviour and policies .

2.Youth need skills to recognise and withstand the pressures of advertising .:

 As a consumer , they should buy eco-intelligently  .  Modern consumerist political economy  aims to sell you things you may not need .It makes our society acquisitive and  .Youth have to acquire skills  to see through the games of advertisers , and resist temptations and pressures. They should buy only what  they really  need , and  keep to minimalism .It helps the cause of environment.

3.We need to spread environmental education  to increase the level of environmental awareness of youth .This should be accompanied with  environmental political education  directed at  governments, international organisations  and corporations.We should aim to produce “ecological citizens and not just green consumers”.This raises the issue of Schooling versus Social learning .NGO’s can integrate education with their activism .Following  things are needed:

1.Organize campaigns , create publications , websites.Be environmental educators.

2.Organize practical workshops.

3.Prepare personal projects.These could relate to preserving water and electricity, minimising the use of plastic bags , using car-pooling , public transport  and bicycles, planting trees.Involve community.

This in turn requires youth  to educate themselves , and share their knowledge and inspiration .Only then , youth can become environmental leaders and change agents.

4.Create an informal networks of activists.Share information .Groups need not have formal organizations.In fact , assets of formal organizations can be seiged by government through court action .

5.Protests, demonstrations and boycott.

6.Organise events geared to attract media publicity.

7.Use internet and social media networks.Make internet and ICT resources accessible.

Young journalists:Media can be a powerful  tool for environmental education .

There is a role of media in social learning .Environmental journalism is fast developing into a profession .Media needs to focus more on issues though it focuses more on events.In  1984,in Bhopal , numerous deaths  took place  due to release of Methyl Isocyanate  from a pesticide plant ,owned by Union carbide.Media mainly focussed on the event but not on  political –economic structures and processes that allowed such a plant to exist and that too near residences of poor people.There are no doubt challenges to environmental journalism .The first challenge for Indian media  is to get past  the idea that  environmentalism is yet another  post-colonial imposition from the developed world.Media also needs to focus on youth.

              In Uttar Pradesh , good work has been done in the area of tree plantation  in last few years.But  existing forest cover in Terai faces larges cale  illicit felling and poaching .In  controlling air , water pollution , in  disposal of municipal and other kind of wastages, a lot needs to be done .This needs involvement of youth in a much bigger way .The goal is already there .Our  to adopt this goal , resolve in their  mind , use their  passion and inspiration  on a long-term horizon .I  have ahope that our youth will respond to this challenge .And our senior citizens will lend thenm their full support

The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy

1.Title                                              The Kingdom of God is                                                                                         Within You                                                                              

2.Author                                                              Leo Tolstoy

3.Publisher                                                          Rupa & Co.(2006 reprint)

4.First Published in                                            1893.

5.ISBN                                                                 81-7167-515-8.

6.Format                                                              Rupa Paperback

7.Page Count                                                       407.

8.Price                                                                  Rs 295.

9.Genre                                                                 Essay

10.Part of series                                                   No.

11.Translator                                                        Aylmer Maude

12Rating                                                              *****

 This book was  one of the two books which inspired MK Gandhi to fight for freedom of India from British rule, the other book being  Unto This last by John Ruskin.

              Jesus Christ said,” Ye have heard that it was said , An eye for an eye , and a tooth for tooth.But I say unto you ,Resist not  him that is evil ;but whosoever  smiteth  thee on thy right cheek , turn to him  the other also .And if any  man would go  to law with thee, and take away  thy coat , let him have thy cloak also.”We are not to resist evil by evil, but by all just means.

                     A Christian  must not voluntarily pay the taxes .He must not participate in elections , in the law court  or the government , for such a participation  is participation in  governmental violence.The crimes of our rulers are our own if knowing them  to be crimes , we promote them by our  co-operation .The government  and ruling classes base  themselves on four methods of  violence:

1.Intimidation.

2.Corruption.

3.Hypnotization of people  , with superstition of patriotism.

4.Selecting public servants (civil servants , police , soldiers) and making them submissive  instruments for  carrying out  all the cruelties and brutalties  needed by the governments.

Those who possess power (by inheritance, by army or by elections) differ in no way from  other men .They are more disposed than others  to subordinate public interests  to their own .

              The purpose of life is to fulfil the law of God. This deprives all human laws  of their right to restrict man .He cannot be in bondage  and be forced by any threat  of external harm to  commit an action  which is contrary to his conscience.Man cannot serve two masters.How can a soldier kill people when  the law of God says;”Thou shalt not kill.”A true Christian  integrates  Principles into every action of his life and refuses to co-operate with any  thing that is contrary to those Principles.Some of these Principles are contained in  the Five Commandments of    the Sermon on the Mount.

1.Have no ill-will towards any  one , not to provoke ill-will but  to love all men. Not to offend any one by  a word.

2.Refrain from adultery.

3.Not to take an oath , not to promise any thing  for the future.

4.Not to return evil for evil  but to endure wrongs.To give up one’s shirt.

5.Do no evil to our enemies , to speak well of them  and not to make distinction between  them and our compatriots.Only abidingby Principles and not by any external efforts  can we safeguard our  life.

               “The sole  meaning of human life  lies in  serving the world  by promoting the  establishment of the Kingdom of God.”This kingdom  comes by recognition  and avowal of truth by each separate individual .

             It is not that  all the arguments given by Tolstoy are perfect .In a way , he advocates a society without government  because government    is essentially based on violence and force in the form of Police , Army , Civil Servants , Courts and Judges.But he does inspire us to follow our conscience and not to  become an instrument of oppression in the hands of rulers  who invariably  rule by intimidation , corruption , hypnotization and controlling the  police , army , civil service  and courts.

As a former civil servant , I know that Tolstoy is right .I wish I had read this book much earlier.

Catalyzing changes in attitudes and behaviour towards environmental issues

There is an increasing evidence that the existing public policies and consumption behaviour is leading to global warming , climate change,air pollution , water pollution  and other  adverse effects. Despite this , march towards  unsustainable development continues unabated .

What should be done?If we aim to win the battle for sustainable development  , we have no choice but to change the attitudes and behaviour of millions of people towards environment .Although environmental problems are of global concern , the public attitudes towards ways of dealing with them  is different for different nations.

          Two studies conducted in this  regard, one  called Climate Change in Indian mind , conducted in 2011  by Yale Project on Climate change ,and the other conducted in 2014, called: “ Attitudes Towards Environmental Issues:Empirical Evidence in Europe and the United States”by  Darina Peycheva, Jana Pötzschke, Theron Delano Hall and Hans Rattinger.. The  study  on India was   conducted in November and December  2011 by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication  in collaboration with Globescan ,with Principal  Investigators Anthony Leiserowitz, Ph.D. ,Yale university and Jagdish Thaker ,Ph.D.   George Mason University.  A  research team from Yale University, Globescan Incorporated and C-Voter conducted a national survey of  4,031 Indian adults ,using a combined urban and rural sample .Overall , the survey cum study   gave , among others , the following important findings  regarding attitudes of Indian public :

Global warming awareness and beliefs:

1.Only 7% of respondents said  they knew a lot about global warming , while 41% had either  never heard of it  , or said “I don’t know”.

2.When given a short definition of global warming , however , 72% said  that they believe it is happening .

3. 56% said it is   caused mostly by human activities , while 31% said it is  caused mostly by natural changes in the environment.

4. 61% said they are worried by global warming   and 67% said   the issue is important to them personally.

5. Large majorities said global warming   will harm future generations (67%), plant and animal species (67%), people in India (66%), people in their own community (62%) and themselves and their own family(57%).

6. 50% said that they have   already personally experienced   the effects of global warming , while 43% said  that global warming is already harming  or will harm people in India  within the next ten years.

The above findings indicate the need to make Indian public  more aware about global warming , its causes, harmful effects.Support for climate and energy policies:

1.41% of respondents said   the Government of India should be   doing more to address global warming.

2.54% said that India should be   making a large or moderate-scale effort to reduce global warming even if   it has large or moderate economic costs.

3. 38% said that India should reduce   its own emissions of the gases that cause global warming immediately  , without waiting for other countries, 18% said that India should reduce its own emissions only if rich countries go first, 13% said that  India should reduce its own emissions only if all other countries of the world  reduce their emissions at the same time , and 13% said that India should not reduce its emissions under any circumstances.

4.70% favoured a national programme   to teach Indians about global warming.

5.675 favoured a national effort   to help local communities   build check dams to increase local water supplies;

6. A majority of respondents favoured a variety of policies to waste   less fuel , water and energy even if increased costs;

7. A majority of respondents said that   environmental   protection either improves economic growth   and provides new jobs (35%) or has no effect on economic growth or jobs(16%).

8.53% said that protecting   the environment is more important , even if it reduces economic growth, while 28% said that  economic growth is more important, even if it leads to environmental problems.

The above findings indicate that Indian Public expects a lot more to be done by Government of India  for making policies to address global warming and other environmental issues.It should make policies to protect environment even if these reduce economic growth. 

Trust in different messengers:

1. Scientists were the most trusted sources of information about global warming (73%) , followed by news media (69%), environmental organisations (68%) ,and their  own family and friends (67%).

2. Government and religious leaders were trusted  by about half the respondents.

This indicates increasing role of scientists, media, NGO’s and governments in dealing with environmental issues, in Indian context.

The other study  related to attitudes towards environment in Europe and  the United States by Darina Peycheva and others  came out with more specific findings as below:

 1.Which environmental issues are of the  greatest concern at local level, the study  shows  that the issues are different in different countries.However , if we try to point out the   main environmental concern in the world , it will be pollution of rivers , lakes and oceans –equally high number of Americans (94%), Europeans(95%) and Turkish people (98%) identified these as very serious or somewhat serious.

 2.Attitudes of Elites  vs. Attitudes of general public:

      Elites have a different perspective on the importance of environmental issues than their respective public. Only 10% of  the surveyed American  elites  define climate change  as the biggest challenge to transatlantic community.

  3.General attitudes   towards environmental issues.:

 The number of those willing to cut their standard of living or to pay higher prices   or taxes in order to protect the environment  is extremely limited.47% Americans are more likely to pay  much higher prices to protect  the environment that Europeans (27%).Further 70% Americans favour paying  15 dollars per month per household in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Role of main stakeholders  in the area of environmental issues:

4.There is a strong consensus that government should pass laws to make ordinary people   protect the environment.For Europeans , it is mainly the national government that should be held responsible for fighting  climate change.Americans   and Europeans tend to agree that   climate change can only be addressed effectively   at the international level.78% of European citizens  and 53% Americans  share this view.

5. Policies and instruments applied in the area of environmental issues:

Almost 90% of Europeans agree   that the EU should urgently put   new policies in place  to reduce  greenhouse gas emission by at least 20% by 2020.

  Increasing   energy efficiency in EU by 20% by 2020 is supported by almost 60%  of Europeans. Increasing the share of renewable energy  in the EU by 20% by 2020 is supported by 56% 0f Europeans.60% of Europeans tend to support the statement that the share of nuclear energy  should be reduced as it poses  safety problems like nuclear waste , or the danger of accidents. The Europeans point out that   small businesses and households should   receive financial support to make   their energy consumption more efficient.

     It is important that we in India  get more such  surveys and research conducted by universities of repute and share the results with policy makers , media , NGOs, , educational institutions and common citizens  so that better support for meeting the challenges posed by  environmental issues is created in the state and in the country.

(This article was published in the magazine Tree Take , Lucknow  in its July 15,2016 issue.)

Works of Love by Soren Kierkegaard

Works of Love by Soren Kierkegaard

1.Title                Works of Love

2.Author             Soren Kierkegaard

3.Publisher         Harper Perennial Modern Thought

4.Translator        Howard and Edna Hong

5.Foreword        Georgr  Pattison

4.Copyright        Howard Hong @1962

5.ISBN               978-0-06-171327-9

6.Format             Paper Bound

7.Page Count      378

8.Price                US $ 15.99

9.Genre              Philosophy

10.Rating           *****
                George Pattison   of Oxford University in his Foreword of July 2008  says: ”Works of Love is a book to be read and reread , pondered and  practiced. . . .It is a kind of  book that can change your life. Read it –but then ‘go and do likewise’ “.I totally agree with Pattison’s words of advice.

              The book is divided into two parts.Part One  deals with the three types of love .Erotic  love , Friendship , and  love for your neighbour. Obviously , the first two are preferential while the third is equal for all neighbours. The first two are by our choice while the third in a mandate ;”You shall love your neighbour”.

               Part Two deals with  what are the Works of Love that one is expected to do .

As the headings of various chapters in Part Two suggest , the list of Works of Love is as below :

1.Love Builds Up.

2.Love  Believes All Things  and Yet Is Never Deceived.

3.Love Hopes All Things  and Yet Is Never Put to Shame.

4.Love Seeks Not Its Own.

5.Love Hides  the Multiplicity of Sins.

6.Love Abides.

7.Mercifulness a Work of Love,Even if It Can Give Nothing And Is Capable of Doing Nothing.

8.The Victory of Reconciliation  in Love  Which Wins the Vanquished.

9.The Work of Love in  Remembering  One Dead.

10.The Work of Love in Praising Love.
 Soren Kierkegaard in his preface  of 1847 says that  “These are Christian  reflections;therefore they are not about love  but about the works of love.”Also “no act can be pleasing there  unless it is an act of love.”

He says that one must believe in love .The presumptuous practicality wants to deny the existence of love .In Christianity , to love is duty and erotic love , friendship  are really another form of self-love.”But the road to hell is paved with good intentions”.

                    The love relationship is a triangular relationship  of the lover , the beloved , love (but love is God.).Therefore to love another person  means to help him  to love God  .To be loved means to be helped to love God. Love is a matter of conscience and it is so only when  love is from a clean heart and out of sincere faith. Christianity has indifference towards friendship.

                        To love a person just as you see him , with all his imperfections and weaknesses, when he is utterly changed , when he no longer loves you.To love is to remain in infinite debt;the infinitude of the debt is the bond of perfection.Owe no man  anything . But nevertheless , be in debt of love to one another.

The ten types of works of love above   that Kierkegaard has listed are  explained as below :

1.Love  builds up. It is patient and willing to serve. Love builds up by pre-supposing that love is present in the other person .

2.Love believes all things. To believe nothing is the beginning of being evil since  faith is precisely the good in a man , which does not come through great knowledge.

3.Love hopes all things. Never in  unlovingness give up a person  or give up hope for him , for it is possible that  even the most prodigal  son can still be saved , for it is possible that  the most embittered enemy , alas , he who was your friend , it is still possible that he can again become your friend ;it is possible that  he can be raised up again; it is still possible that  the love which has  turned cold can burn again—therefore , never give up any man , not even at the last moment; do not despair. No, hope all things! Hope all things ;give up no man , for to give him up  is to abandon  your love for him –and if you do not give it up , then you hope. But if you abandon your love for him , then you yourself cease to be a lover.

4. Love seeks not its own .For the true lover does not love his own individuality. Quite the opposite, in others he loves “their own”. The lover has understood that  in truth the greatest , the only benediction one man  can accomplish for another is to help him stand alone , to become himself , to become his own.

5.Love hides the multiplicity of sins .Lover does not attempt to discover any sins in the  other .He shuns slander, back-biting , rumour , gossip , scandal-mongering and manufacture of lies. He hides other’s sin in silence , in a mitigating explanation , in forgiveness. The best way to hide the sins is by forgiveness .Forgiveness takes vitality away from sin; but to withhold   forgiveness  nourishes sin .True lover  forgives, he forgets ,he blots out sin. Forgive and you will also be forgiven .The forgiveness which you give ,  you also receive.

6. Love abides. Love never fails. There is no misunderstanding which sooner or later  will not be  conquered by  his abiding, there is no hate that  ultimately  will not have to give up  and yield to his abiding—in eternity if not sooner. In erotic love , one cannot be  unconditionally faithful. Therefore the erotic love does not abide ;it is not eternal.

7. Mercifulness is a work of love , even if it has nothing to give and is able to do nothing .

8. The victory of reconciliation in love .Work of love is to   set the other free  from being humiliated , to set him free  from thinking dejectedly about the forgiveness which he needs.

9.The work of love in remembering one who is dead, is a work of the most unselfish love , the most faithful love .The one dead is not the one who changes ,it is the one living who changes. Remember one dead  and learn  in just this way  to love the living disinterestedly , freely and faithfully.

10. The work of love in praising love .In order to be able to truly praise love , there is a need for inward  self-denial  and outward  sacrificial disinterestedness.

  Kierkegaard concludes as follows: ”To love human beings is still the only thing  worth living for .;without love , you really do not live; to love human beings is also the only  salutary consolation  of both time and eternity.” Love is one of the central aspects of existence  And also, ”Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Avoid speaking the wrongs of others towards you , about the speck in your brother’s eye .

 I admire Kierkegaard for his remarkable depth and clarity. He was undoubtedly  one of the great thinkers of 19^th century , and the greatest Philosopher  born in Denmark. He has demonstrated in this book that  love saves us from isolation  and unites us with one another and with God. The ten major types of works of love and their essence  help us to realise the meaning of love. For those who like serious reading , I recommend this book .It has the potential to change the lives of its readers.

Promoting a Tree Plantation Drive

"Trees are poems that Earth writes upon the sky.We fell them and turn them into newspapers that we may record our emptiness." -Kahlil Gibran
We need to plant trees to preserve ecology and environment , to prevent climate change and global warming,to preserve and sustain life on earth."The symbolism "--and substantive significance  of planting a tree has universal power in every culture and every  society on Earth  and it is a way for individual men , women and children to participate in creating solutions  for the environmental crisis" -- Al Gore, 2007 Nobel Prize Winner. " A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know  they shall never sit in"-Greek Proverb.
   Though there is some awareness among people to plant trees voluntarily, it is necssary to accelrate the pace of planting trees to avert the impending crisis of global warming  and climate change.This can be done successfully by organising  periodic tree plantation drives.
        In empowering the public , a drive also empowers the governments by providing proof that  addressing climate change is not a political risk.Far from it , it is perhaps the most popular move  of our time , with electorates  right behind leaders who take significant action  on a transition to low carbon socielty.Plantation drive responds to a need  and common yearning to solve the environmental crisis and to be a part of the solution .We just don't get our hands dirty  but it gladdens our hearts  and connects us to other eco -citizens around the world.
       We in the Forest departmrnt of Uttar Pradeh organised a very unique Tree Plantation drive  in 2007 to plant  10 million saplings on a single day(31 July 2007) as apart of a bigger world-wide drive organised by UNEP and called "Plant for the Planet.The Billion Tree campaign".United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) published a book in 2008  with the title "Plant for the Planet.The Billion Tree Campaign.An Album"(ISBNN:978- 92-807-2896-5).
                 Many features of Uttar Pradesh campaign  of July 31, 2007 should be followed by any one  who wishes to organise such a drive.It is important that all governments in states of India  organise one massive plantation drive  during the Monsoons.But to do large-scale plantation  during Monsoons it is important to do  the advance planning and other ground work.
      UNEP described in the above quoted  quoted booklet this achievement as a world record  set by India , and  Guinness World Records  Ltd  also  recorded it  as a world record in the form of  a certificate as below:                         Guinness World Records
                                                              Certificate
"The most trees  planted in one day is 10,000,000 in an event organised by  the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department  across the State of Uttar Pradesh on  31 July 2007."
                                                                    . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Guinness World Records Ltd.
The UNEP booklet says the following:
"Billion Tree Campaign
World record set by India in July, 2007".
Mr. Achim Steiner , Executive Director of UNEP and Under Secretary General , United Nations wrote:"The precise number of  people mobilised  awaits  compilation.It is worthy to note ,however that 6,00,000 people including school children  in Uttar Pradesh , India  planted 10.5 million trees  in a single day of July 2007."
 It may be mentioned that the UNEP  acknowledged that a number of regional and national governments  organised the most massive plantings.India found mention in the top plnating countries.India , Japan , the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela  were reported to have planted 11 million  saplings each .It is a matter of pride that  out of 11 million trees planted by India  in Billion Tree campaign  , 10.5 million trees were planted  only by Uttar Pradesh on July31 , 2007. A part of credit goes to  personalities like Al Gore , Prof Wangari Maathai  of Kenya (the Nobel Peace Laureate)."When we plant trees , we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope." -Prof . Wangari Maathai.
   The greenest day of calendar in India  and a tree planting record  by 6,00,000 volunteers. 10.5 million trees planted by Uttar Pradesh in a single day.The Forest Department of Government of Uttar Pradesh , the most populous state of India  succeded in planting 10.5 million trees in a single day on 31 July , 2007.This ambitious project in which 6,00,000 people participated , was meant to raise  the awareness of  the residents of the State towards the importance of tree-planting  and the vital role of trees in correcting ecological imbalances , removing the environmental pollution  and increasing tree cover.The decision to launch this unique operation  was taken at the government level.
               The saplings were planted by school children , the local population , farmers , industrial units, government departments and the forest department .The object of the exercise was to make  tree plantation a people's participatory activity with people from a vast cross-section of  society participating in the planting  os saplings at 9320 sites  across the seventy districts of the State.Of these 43.72% were farmers ,38.01% were educational institutions' sites , 9.14% forest department's sites,6.33% other government departments' sites and the remaining sites were of other institutions.The planting activity on all sites were  photographed and authenticated.For this , 18,640  independent authenticators were mobilised.
                  The pits for planting were dug in advance  and the plants to be planted  were transportted to the sites  in order to be planted in one go on 31 July 2007 . The entire activity was carefully sequenced  and detailed guidelines were prepared in the form of a booklet  and widely circulated.The whole effort of planting over ten million saplings  on one day was co-ordinated centrally  from the State capital at Lucknow.Detailed plans were prepared  which included the details of the sites  along with GPS based locations , the species of saplings to be planted , the source of saplings  as well as the name of   site co-ordinators , photogrphers and videographers.
              In India , 31 July 2007 was an auspicious day  as it represented the first day  of Shrawan , according to the Hindu  calendar. The exercise gave a boost to  the Billion Tree Campaign . Organisers  also recalled that  the theme of World Environment Day 2007 was "Melting Ice-A Hot Topic" and the Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh  helped the issues  of  global warming , expansion of tree cover  and carbon sequestration.
 There was large scale  participation by many citizens  and institutions by way of  contributions in kind  for meeting the cost of plants , their transportation , payment of photographers , etc.In many places , the officers /staff of  the forest department  had voluntarily donated  salary os a day for this purpose.
 The essentials of any tree plantation drive  are as below:
(1). Role of Forest Department
(a).As co-ordinator.
(b).As supplier of saplings.
(c).Technical know how in  choice of species , planting and post-planting  care.
(2). Mobilse the local communities  to participate in the campaign .Category of participants could be :
(a) Private individuals.
(b)civil society and NGOs.
(c).Local and national government.1) Forest Department .2)Other Government Departments.
(d) Farmers.
(e)Private companies
(f) Community groups.
(g).Schools and other educational institutions.
(h).Children and youth.
(i)Media.
(j). Others.
(3).A few leading  media houses  be made partner  so that through media  campaign , others can be motivated  to join.Media includes newspapers , TV channels , FM channels and magazines.
(4).Point out plant species  most fit for area.Right trees for the right place -- so that such trees  transform both lives  and landscapes.Plant local species  to restore the area's original biodiversity.
(5).Sapling distribution at new outlets.
(6) Publicity for new outlets  for making saplings available.
(7).Giving the gift of saplings.
(8).Arrangement for funds  through government and company funds  under Corporate Social Responsibility.
(9).Bucket farming for those who live in flats.
(10).SMSs be sent enblock through bulk SMS providers.
(11).Utilizing the lessons learnt from the previous campaigns.
(12)Involving celebrities to promote  campaign and to plant one  sapling.Superstars  from the world of fashion , music and media  should also plant saplings.
(13) Plantation  drive as an activity for environment education .
(14)NGOs may have the following  role to play:
(a).To co-ordinate with Residents' Welfare Associations  and Market Associations.
(b).To co-ordinate with Eco clubs in schools and colleges for massive plantation.
(c).To train people ,particularly children to plant trees properly.
(d).To identify a nodal plan in each association /school  to work with.
(e).To assess the number of saplings required as also the species which will be required.
(f).The NGOs can be advised to identify and adopt old/heritage trees growing in and around the  cities.For this , they will take the help of financial institutions  and co-operative sector.
(15).In urban areas , Residents' Welfare Associations may   perform   the following roles:
(a).Informing the residents of the tree plantation drive.
(b).Collecting saplings from Forest nurseries.
(c).Gathering volunteers for planting .
(d).Identifying places for planting.
(e).Co-ordinating with NGOs and governmental agencies  and chalking out programme for plantation  in their respective colonies.
(f).Ensuring proper protection  and regular watering of plants.
(16).Role of Municipal Corporations , Housing Boards and Development Authorities in providing sites for plantation in parks , green belts and round abouts..
(17).Role of Horticulture Department:Providing saplings from horticultural nurseries  and giving technical know how.
(18).Role of Rural Development Department  in motivating village panchayats  and other rural local bodies.
(19).Role of banks and other financial institutions  in sponsoring tree guards and other fencing materials.
 (20).Last but not the least .Tree Plantation Drive must pledge  to involve every resident of the State  as a part of his or her fundamental constitutional duty.
The above is not an exhaustive list , but if followed in spirit,it will result in a highly successful tree Plantation Drive.
(This article was published in June 15,2016 issue of the magazine Tree Take, Lucknow, UP, India.)

Ambition ,The secret Passion by Joseph Epstein

1.Title of the book:Ambition , The Secret Passion

2.Author               :Joseph Epstein

3.Publisher            :Elephant Paperbacks ,Ivan R.Dee,Inc.,Publisher ,Chicago

4.Copyright           :@1980 ,Joseph Epstein

5.ISBN                   :0-929587-18-9

6.Format                 :Elephant Paperback

7.Page count           :312

8.Price                       :$ 18.90

9.Genre                   : General

10.Part of Series       :No

11.Rating                  :***

Is it good to be ambitious? Or does  ambition fuel self-promotion and  getting ahead ?Why are some persons more ambitious while others are not? These are some of the questions which led me to this book. 
       Epstein defines ambition as the fuel of achievement.But he also says:"If life is to be more spiritual , more tender-minded and large- hearted , ambition clearly must go.Or so it is said."But in the same breath , he also says that  "If people are to retain  the energy that ambition can give --and as Dreiser writes in Sister Carrie ,"there is nothing so inspiring in life  as the sight of a legitimate ambition , no matter how incipient"-then a clearer view is needed about what ambition is and what it entails."
     "Moderation", says la Rochefoucauld ,"is languor and idleness of the soul , ambition is its activity and energy". But neither , it must be added , is ours an age noted for moderation.The middle class has from the beginning run on ambition .In the end , forming our own destiny is what ambition is about.
Epstein's examples of  eminent Americans  Benjamin Franklin , Henry Ford , Edith Wharton , F. Scott Fitzerald, Adlai Stevenson, Rockfeller, Guggenheim, and Kennedys  make a fascinating reading to illustrate how they achieved their secret passion (ambition).
   Epstein in his book  gives a spirited defence of ambition  which has been given a bad name by some.To discourage ambition , says Epstein , "is to discourage dreams of grandeur and  greatness".But he says  nothing    original in support of his stand .The  book is a broad sweep but he catches nothing  to  show. In many cases the fuel of achievement has also been the engine of destruction.Though the book is full of many interesting sides of eminent personalities , and  perhaps  that makes it  worthwhile to read , it lacks intellectual substance to clearly convince us what it says .Most of the spiritual books  guide us to be moderate and less ambitious . Epstein has tried to make a case for ambition   but has not really succeeded.
           "Thinking about ambition ", he says ," has caused me to disregard  the notion that our final judgment  about the men and women of history  hangs on the question of whether  we should like to dine with them".